Part II | Outline

Category G | Extrinsic Benefits

Topic 38 | Religious freedom as a tool for peacemaking

While peace and peacemaking are central concepts in most religions, religion and religious freedom are often viewed as a major source of contention, conflict, and even violence. However, studies belie that perception, showing that high levels of religious freedom actually defuse religious violence and foster peaceful societies. Moreover, religious individuals and organizations have special resources and are uniquely positioned to contribute to peacemaking and peacebuilding processes.

Religious Freedom and Social Stability  

• In his Letter Concerning Toleration (1689) John Locke famously argued that religious “oppression” or coercion by the state results in outward hypocrisy and social unrest. Conversely, religious pluralism born of religious “toleration” or freedom fosters social stability.

• Locke’s theories have been supported by modern-day research showing that religious intolerance and restrictions foster a cycle of religion-related violence, while religious tolerance and freedom foster a virtuous cycle resulting in decreased religious violence and increased social stability.

Religious Freedom and the Work of Peacemaking and Peacebuilding  

• Religious freedom not only creates peace through social stability; it also fosters an environment where religious individuals and groups can contribute to the work of peacemaking (i.e., resolving conflicts) and peacebuilding (i.e., implementing measures to sustain peace) in these and other ways:

  • facilitating and leading nonviolent political movements,
  • promoting democracy,
  • mediating ends to conflicts, including violent conflicts,
  • contributing to transitional justice processes,
  • providing social services that contribute to social stability and peace,
  • encouraging racial tolerance, and
  • encouraging political moderation.

• Researchers have identified key qualities possessed by religious institutions and leaders that facilitate such peacemaking and peacebuilding work. All are, to some degree, outgrowths of religious freedom. These include

  • institutional independence;
  • leadership;
  • religious ideals of human relationships, peace, and justice;
  • “transcendent motivation”;
  • “organizational resources”;
  • “social and geographic positioning”; and
  • “privileged legitimacy, including political legitimacy in public opinion.”